Memorial services for MaryAnn Battle, 64, of Lompoc, will be 11 a.m. Thursday, December 20, 2007 at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary with Msgr. John Fitzgerald of Queen of Angels Catholic Church officiating.

MaryAnn passed away peacefully on December 11, 2007, after a long, courageous battle with rheumatoid arthritis and a brief illness. She was born January 4, 1943, in Jackson, Mississippi.

MaryAnn was a daycare operator and foster care provider for over 10 years and a homemaker for more than 40 years. She moved to Lompoc and graduated from Lompoc High School in 1960. Since her father was in the military, she traveled for much of her elementary and secondary school years. This explains why she was able to make and keep friends so easily.

She was an outgoing, determined, headstrong woman. She treated everyone as if they were family. To her, there were no strangers in her life. Everyone was a friend not met yet. MaryAnn was a member of La Purisima Church.

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Nora Lee Mclaurin, and her brother Patrick.

She is survived by her six children, Charles and Desi of Las Vegas, Dwayne of Lompoc, Kareem of Santa Barbara, Josh and Tremeca of Lompoc; brothers, Freddie and Edward Mclaurin of Sacramento; sister, Pamela Robertson of Washington; husband, Charles; 10 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She loved to read, shop, and watch old television shows. MaryAnn adored family, friends, and a good lively debate. She will be missed by all those who were touched by her special spirit.

Donations in her name can be made to the Foster Parents Association of Santa Barbara #109, P. O. Box 705, Goleta, CA. 93116 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN. 38101-9950.